Mayor
David Miller met with faith community leaders from the Toronto Area
Interfaith Council (TAIC) on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 8:00 am at the
University
of
Toronto Conference Centre
,
89 Chestnut Street
.

The
aim of this first breakfast meeting was to initiate a dialogue among
leaders of city government and of faith communities to create a foundation
for understanding, co-operation and partnership between the City of
Toronto
and the Faith Communities in the
Toronto
area. Mayor Miller welcomed this initiative and, with the TAIC, sees
this dialogue as the first step of many we can take together.

The
event was opened by Fr. Damian MacPherson,
Director for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, Roman CatholicArchdiocese
of Toronto. Fr. MacPherson has been a part of the TAIC planning committee
since its inception. In his address he called the event, “An historic
occasion.” And he noted that, “The interfaith co-operation and
activity in the
Toronto
area has taken another leap forward.”

The
history of the Toronto Area Interfaith Council was detailed by Liz
Chappel, chairperson of the B’ahai Faith in
Toronto
. Liz stated, "It is the aim of the Toronto Interfaith Council
to be intentional in its service to community and to further our common
aspiration to promote peace, understanding, harmony and respect for all.

In
late 2004, the founding members of the Toronto Area Interfaith Council
recognized that faith communities could assist the city in building
bridges to overcome prejudice and discrimination and to promote mutual
understanding and respect. The group established a vision statement
and set mutually agreeable goals over the next two years, ranging from
initiating and facilitating interfaith celebratory and commemorative
observances, to providing information about religious practices, and
finding ways and means to connect the commonalities of diverse faiths. Its
members now look forward to working with the City of
Toronto
to ensure that our diverse city remains a leader in the world in
harmonious collaboration of its diverse citizens and organizations.

Mayor
Miller addressed the group with a message of support for their collective
efforts in establishing this interfaith council. He also applauded them
for the work they have done separately and collectively for the city of
Toronto
on an ongoing basis. Mayor Miller confirmed the vision of the Toronto Area
Interfaith Council by saying, “I am very proud to have the opportunity
to be here and to support the Interfaith Council. It is something that
Toronto
can contribute to the world like no other can…Interfaith dialogue and shared activities build bridges and promote
mutual understanding, good community relations, tolerance and acceptance.
This breakfast crosses all divides and allows us to discover the
connections that are common between all people and their fundamental right
to practice their religion with dignity and respect.” He
looked forward to positive impact the co-operative effort of all faith
groups could have on the social issues and needs of the people of
Toronto
.

The Mayor unveiled a plaque with the TAIC Mission Statement:

“The
Toronto Area Interfaith Council is dedicated to affirming the importance
of ethics, spirituality and faith in daily life and to the promotion of
understanding, harmony, respect and acceptance among the faith communities
of the Toronto area.”

Mayor
Miller was also presented with the popular Golden Rule Poster which was
designed in
Toronto
. The poster with its universal statement of moral conduct from 13
faith traditions can be found around the world. It fits well with
Toronto
’s motto: “Diversity – Our Strength”.

Mayor
Miller also presented the The Toronto Area Interfaith Council with a
plaque bearing the following words:

“A Message from the
Mayor

It is my pleasure to extend greetings and a warm welcome to
everyone attending this special
Toronto
Area Interfaith Council breakfast.

Places of worship are God’s spiritual arm and the
thread that holds the fabric of society and of the family together. Today
more than ever we are witnessing the revival of religion in the lives of
many who seek guidance and strength in the solace and comfort that come
from their faith.

Interfaith dialogue and shared activities build
bridges and promote mutual understanding, good community relations,
tolerance and acceptance. This breakfast crosses all divides and allows us
to discover the connections that are common between all people and their
fundamental right to practice their religion with dignity and respect.

On behalf of
Toronto
City Council, thank you for sharing your ecumenical spirit and fellowship.
Best wishes for an uplifting and inspiring morning.

Mayor David Miller

March 20, 2007”

Councillor
Joe Mihevc spoke to the audience concerning City of
Toronto Initiatives
. He noted that the collective voice of the faith communities could be a
major factor in assisting in the resolution of social needs. He went on to
say: "Big cities is where diversity can and does happen, but on this
scale and this depth, never before. And it happened in Toronto....We know
that beyond the historical and current conflicts, there is something
very deep within us that yearns to know the other....What I'd like to
propose is a way to do interfaith work that is also city-building
work."

The
event concluded with a sharing time between participants. During this
period they collectively assembled their own person visions and comments
concerning the new Toronto Area Interfaith Council. These were recorded at
each table and the results were submitted to the Council.